Last week, we discussed how love is about listening. This week, we’re covering the opposite side of the spectrum: speaking up.
Today we’ll get really clear about three different areas where speaking up is crucial.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these three are some of the most important times, in my book, to open our mouths!
1. Love means speaking up when it’s the gospel that did the work, or is the remedy.
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew and also to the Greek.
The gospel has power. It is the remedy!
When we know that the joy of the Lord is our strength, but we don’t proclaim that remedy to others, it’s like knowing someone is ill and having the medicine for them, but walking away.
Additionally, when we are focused on giving God glory, it helps us stay zoned into the heart issue and not whatever outward actions rub us the wrong way or are different from how we’d do things.
2. Love means speaking up when others have requested accountability from us.
Galatians 6:1: Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
There is a default accountability agreement that we become a part of when we are part of the church of Christ. Speaking up to hold others accountable is part of our job. Gentleness, kindness and humility is required, but accountability is a necessary component to growing as believers.
Additionally, sometimes people ask us to hold them accountable. While their response is not always guaranteed to be pleasant when we do it. If we agree to speak up when we see something that needs improvement, but don’t, it isn’t love.
3. Love means speaking up against false teaching.
Ephesians 5:11: Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
When we keep silent, we allow, by default, others to speak lies to those we love. When people are desperate for answers, they are equally susceptible to any concepts that sound good and hopeful.
Two examples of false teaching in the coaching world include:
The importance of FORGIVING YOURSELF
Nowhere in the Bible will you find any scripture indicating that forgiving yourself is something you need to do. Scripture talks about forgiving others, asking forgiveness of God, asking forgiveness of others. We don’t owe ourselves a debt. That’s a position that belongs to God and forgiving ourselves is a slick way to leave the real solution- true repentance and acknowledgement of our need for a Savior – out of the equation. It’s the world’s way of taking God’s idea and attempting to solve a problem without Him. Sure sounds good though.
I am enough.
This one is also a false teaching that is sweeping the world by storm and it is love to share with others the lack of hope and truth in this statement.
What is true?
We are valuable- priceless, actually. We are loved enough for Jesus to die to save us.
What is true?
We don’t need to be anything more than what we are for him to love us. And in that context we are “enough”. However, that version of “enough” is simply that God takes us as we are. We aren’t enough to save ourselves.
And are we enough for anything else? Is who we are sufficient to any task? No! The Bible says that in our weakness, he is made strong. That he enables us to will and to do what he calls us too. That indicates that we very much are NOT enough, but HE is!
God is enough. Regardless of where we start, how weak or strong we are, God is enough to get us through, help us fulfill his purpose.
Again, this is a slick deflection the world uses to gently slide us towards elevating ourselves and eliminating our need for God.
But the truth is, HE is enough. Because he works in us and through us, we become enough.
So, where have you experienced false teaching and choose to sit on it? Love those around you well. Speak up! Expose the lies. There is life in the TRUTH!
What one action will you take today in order to love God, love others, and enjoy it?
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